Friday, August 31, 2012

Well I promise I will get back to blogging regularly once we get settled after our big move! Blogging from my phone for now, so if this post looks a little wonky you'll know why!

We are heading out tomorrow morning on a week long moving road trip stopping along the way to some pretty cool places. I'll share with you our adventures when we get settled! Who knows I might share some along the way. :) Cheers until next time friends!

Monday, August 27, 2012

So I haven't told you, my friends, that my husband and I are moving out of Texas. We quit our corporate day jobs to chase our dreams and start a new adventure in Asheville, NC. We will be moving out this weekend. Still have some packing to do! It's a very bold thing to do, quitting your job and packing up and moving, but I believe life is too short not to! I have full faith that we can make it.

We chose Asheville because my sister-in-law and her family live there and it is a beautiful part of the country... gorgeous mountains, trees, cooler weather, and it's such a cool little artsy town!

We will be full-time artists. Really focusing on making our lines bigger and better. We'll be selling in local stores, all kinds of craft shows, and we hope to expand to selling internationally. One of my goals will be selling to Anthropologie. I'm gonna make it happen sooner or later!

We are so ready for this challenge! Going into this with lots of faith and determination and support from friends and family.

Friday, August 24, 2012

We just got back from a little road trip down to San Antonio, Gruene and New Braunfels. It's kind of a tradition we try to stick to every summer. We stopped in Gruene, TX to eat at our favorite scenic restaurant along the Guadalupe River, The Gristmill. The next day we went to Schlitterbahn to have some fun in the water and later to San Antonio to eat some great Mexican Food with family in the area. On our way back home yesterday we stopped off at the Blue Bell Creameries in Brenham, TX and took a yummy tour of the factory with a complimentary scoop of ice cream at the end. I highly recommend the Mocha Almond Fudge flavor!! A new favorite of mine. Sorry guys, I couldn't take pics inside the factory, so you'll just have to go see for yourself how cool it was!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Singapore-based artist Izziyana Suhaimi takes the craft of embroidery to a whole new level. Her work is a breath of fresh air. As if her drawings weren't beautiful already, she takes it up a few notches and embellishes them with bursts of colorful thread and ornate patterns which adds an eye-popping textural element. The contrast between the subtle gray of the pencil and the vibrant and intricate patterns is visually stunning.

These are a few among my favorite pieces of Izziyana's. I particularly have a crush on those braided locks in the first two images. Swoon!

London based designer Jacqueline Wagner specializes in hand-made 3D
illustrations. She creates small-scale sets using paper and various materials then photographs them creating a visually dynamic piece of art. She thinks completely out of the box! I am just in love with her extremely creative designs...not to mention time-consuming and tedious! Take a look at her online portfolio and you'll see what I mean.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

I just added this doodle-turned-print to the shop! It's a reminder that the trials we face in life are helping us form into the amazing people we are. This was actually the doodle a day giveaway winner's print and it will be hanging in her nautical themed classroom this year. Pretty cool! I hope you enjoy it!

Friday, August 10, 2012

Whipped this up on a whim! I'm realizing more and more that if you just take a leap at something the "net" will appear. Fear and doubts can build up in your head, but if you just brave your way through it, somehow you find yourself reaching your goal and growing beautifully in the process.

Well, deep thoughts this Friday huh? :) Hope you take a risk you've been wanting to take.

Monday, August 6, 2012

I have a little Back to School freebie today friends! Can't have enough bookmarks right? I'm always losing mine anyways. Well, I hand drew these pencil bookmarks and all you have to do is print them on some card stock, cut them out and enjoy :) Share them with the kiddos or keep them for yourself...wink, wink!

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Miss Ford! Congrats!

Miss Ford, thank you so much for entering and following my doodles on Instagram! Please email me at elloloveyshop@gmail.com with your mailing address

so I can happily send you this nautical print to post in your classroom in time for the school year!

Lots of hugs and love to all of you who entered my Doodle a Day Giveaway! I'm so grateful for all of you and have smiled at all of your kind comments. I can't thank you enough, really. So blessed to be able to share my passion with you all.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

I just created my first ever seamless pattern in Adobe Illustrator and I might just be addicted to pattern-making now! I did a fun little Sweet-themed pattern. All of the elements made using the pen tool and brushes in Illustrator. I used this very helpful and relatively easy tutorial from Vectips.com.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

I know I already shared an August calendar with you, but I found this charming illustrated one from Emily on her blog Bluestar Bloggery and had to share it! Besides this one can go on your computer desktop. Emily created this British-themed calendar in honor of the Olympics in London and I love love love it! The fun characters look as if they are on their way to watch some Olympic sports! Hope you enjoy it too!